The Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Authority (NYA), Pius Enam Hadzide, has berated the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) for protesting the recently imposed 10% betting tax.

He said the NDC’s conduct means they support activities that will affect the value systems of the country. 

The former Deputy Information Minister speaking in an interview with Citi FM on Wednesday, August 16, urged Ghanaians to call out the NDC. 

According to him, the NDC is just being populist for election purposes. 

“I’m pretty much scandalised listening to NDC, with the impression they are creating. If there is a problem with employment, in NDC’s view, young people should resort to betting, as a means of resolving whatever challenges young people are confronted with. I’m scandalised.”

“Let me just place it on record that, it is not just the Majority Leader Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, who has issues with betting and what betting can do to the value system of any country, even the Minority Leader, Ato Forson has called on the state to ban all forms of betting,” he said. 

Mr Hadzide also lambasted the largest opposition party for instigating the youth against the government.

“The young people are being prepared for the future and if you want to lead the country, you should be discussing policies and not that there are hardships, young people should resort to betting, a game of luck, a game of chance.

"And that we are not going to encourage the Ghanaian youth who is hardworking, entrepreneur, by the way, to continue to work hard.”

The Youth Wing of the NDC has asked the government to immediately abolish the recently imposed 10% withholding tax on all gross gaming winnings. 

According to them, the “insensitive policy” will worsen the plight of the already impoverished youths. 

In a press statement issued by the National Youth Organiser of the party, George Opare Addo, the NDC Youth Wing threatened series of protests should the government fail to abolish the tax.

These actions include picketing at the Ministry of Finance and other government offices across the country. 

“In the face of the unjust ten (10%) taxation on bet wins, we, the young people of Ghana and the NDC Youth, declare a resolute series of actions to resist the burdensome and insensitive policy.”

“Our unity is unwavering and our determination to protect the funds of the young people secured through betting is unyielding.”

“Through agitations, protects, agitations and advocacy and civic engagements, we will ensure our voices are heard and demand that this corrupt Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government rescind its decision,” excerpts of the release said. 

But Mr Hadzide says the NDC is just playing on the emotions of the Ghanaian youth. 

Background 

The Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) on Tuesday, August 15, commenced the implementation of a 10% withholding tax on all gross gaming winnings.

According to the GRA, the withholding tax will be charged on profits accrued after each win and that the existing 15% Value Added Tax (VAT) rate on each stake will no longer be charged.

The GRA said that the new policy is in line with an amendment to the Income Tax Act 2023 (No.2), Act 1094.